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Old 11-08-2017, 10:16 PM   #1
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First trip in 2011 17B

After years of travelling and recently spending a good amount of time sleeping on the ground (Trinity Alps, No. California, Glacier NP, Grand Tetons NP, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, etc.) we decided to buy a travel trailer. We were fixated on the T@b, until we accidentally stumbled across the Escape.

Last month we traveled to San Jose, CA (about 5.5 hours south of home) and met Ben and purchased his 2011 17B. We brought it home, cleaned it out (although he and his wife were meticulous, so the job was easy), had the cushions reupholstered in denim, and loaded up the bare essentials. I included a photo of the "before" cushions - nicely cared for, but just not our style.

Tomorrow afternoon we head 2 hours north to Harris Beach State Park in the beautiful state of Oregon for two nights. It will likely rain the whole time, but we'll have a chance to try out everything and make a list of what we want to change/adjust in the spring. Then, in August, we intend to hit the road for a year. We'll start a blog and YouTube channel and document our travels, travails, and tribulations.

I'll post pictures this weekend! Thank you all for the advice you've provided and will provide in the future and thank you Ben for an awesome small travel trailer!
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Old 11-08-2017, 10:21 PM   #2
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How exciting for you! And changing out the upholstery is just the first step in making the trailer your very own.

Welcome to the Escape world.
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Old 11-08-2017, 10:52 PM   #3
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How Exciting
Congrats on the purchase of your Escape!
And Kudos on the plan for an adventure. The memories will last a lifetime. We just completed a cross country trip by car to Maine last spring. Can’t wait to do it again in a FG Trailer!

Looking forward to following your travel blog

Charley
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Old 11-08-2017, 11:29 PM   #4
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nice cushions!
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Old 11-09-2017, 01:09 AM   #5
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What a transformation! Beautiful!!
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Old 11-09-2017, 08:34 AM   #6
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Congratulations Sherm! Great idea on the denim!
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Old 11-09-2017, 09:39 AM   #7
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Congratulations Sherm! Great idea on the denim!
Thanks. Wife's idea - of course.
Wholesale Denim Supplier | Denim Manufacturers USA | Raw Denim Fabric by Yard | Denim Fabric Manufacturer | Long Island
great company. Took the cushions to a local business who recovered them all for $200. Can't beat that. Plus she made us 4 throw pillows out of the remaining denim and some red fabric we had.
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Old 11-09-2017, 09:55 AM   #8
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Love the Denim. Should be a very good fabric for the trailer life as well.
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Old 11-09-2017, 10:06 AM   #9
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Very nice! Looking forward to hearing about your travels.
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Old 11-14-2017, 08:13 PM   #10
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Update....Our first trip

So, as fate would have it, we faced torrential rain last Thursday when we were getting ready to head up the No. Cal coast. Destination: Harris Beach State Park, Oregon.

We got on the road around 4 p.m. and drove the 2 hours in varying levels of rainfall. Sometimes none, sometimes misty, sometimes Biblical.

We arrived at Harris Beach around 6:15 in the evening. Good and dark. Windy with no rain. Checked in with the host (very friendly and helpful) and then sought out our spot. We chose D18 because it looked pretty good in the dark!

We had our family radios ready and got backed into the spot with no trouble, no arguments, no problems at all. Got leveled and set up, made our hookups and we were ready to cook. We don't like to cook inside, so I used our camp stove and cooked up dinner with my wife. We sat down to eat and about 30 seconds later, the rain started. Put away the stove and moved in for the night. No problems at all.

The weekend was great with the sound of the ocean, easy walk to the beach, good running and hiking trails, easy drive into Brookings, etc.

So here's the rundown:
Trailer: everything worked very well. It's loud at night in the rain and that will take some getting used to, but we have earplugs and I'm kind of deaf on one so, so the earplugs go furhter! Seating inside was great- much roomier than I anticipated. We definitely need to figure out where everything will live, because we struggled to move things around and find the right place for towels, dishes, radio, flashlights, etc.

Towing: absolutely no trouble. I've towed boats and a very (stupidly overweight) large trailer before, so the 17 was not even an issue. Good gas mileage (about 14 mpg in our 2015 Ford Explorer).

Harris Beach State Park: California should take a lesson from Oregon. The park was beautiful. In the process of being upgraded. Our site was on a newly paved loop with new hookups. Each one has a lighted pylon (?) that has 50 amp, 30 amp, plus 2 110 v outlets and water. The bathrooms are heated as are the showers and all are kept very clean.

Verdict: success! Can't wait for the next opportunity to go out again!
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Old 11-14-2017, 08:47 PM   #11
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Great report and pictures, Sherm! Harris Beach is now a destination point!

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Old 11-14-2017, 08:58 PM   #12
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We liked Harris beach too! There is a row of campsites (probably pretty hard to get in peak season) that has ocean front view. Last time we were there they even have ice cream truck making its rounds...
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Old 11-14-2017, 09:07 PM   #13
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Wonderful trip report, I'm jealous.
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Old 11-14-2017, 09:53 PM   #14
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We liked Harris beach too! There is a row of campsites (probably pretty hard to get in peak season) that has ocean front view. Last time we were there they even have ice cream truck making its rounds...
Caddoster, You had me at ice cream, but Debbie wants to know if it’s Haagen Daz?
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Old 11-14-2017, 10:49 PM   #15
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Welcome to the Oregon Coast! All the crowds are gone, and most of the campgrounds and beaches are empty. Rain is just part of the character of the region this time of year.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Charley
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Old 11-15-2017, 10:47 AM   #16
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Must have been a forgiving park host and/or ranger. Technically, conducting commercial business transactions is against the rules in Oregon State Parks - or so I was advised by a ranger due to the signs for my biz on my truck.
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Old 11-15-2017, 11:19 AM   #17
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Must have been a forgiving park host and/or ranger. Technically, conducting commercial business transactions is against the rules in Oregon State Parks - or so I was advised by a ranger due to the signs for my biz on my truck.
Yeah, Oregon State Parks are pretty restrictive and the reasoning is to stop the "garage sales" to a target audience. BUT, they do offer permits that allow it. I remember when Bullard's Beach had a semi-permanent "coffee stand" which was great for those of us that attended the Oregon Gathering. So, a permit may be something you may wish to pursue Charlie. I don't have a clue to cost or paperwork involved...
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Old 11-15-2017, 11:26 AM   #18
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Caddoster, You had me at ice cream, but Debbie wants to know if it’s Haagen Daz?



We only got popsicles! Don't know what else they have...

Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1 View Post
Must have been a forgiving park host and/or ranger. Technically, conducting commercial business transactions is against the rules in Oregon State Parks - or so I was advised by a ranger due to the signs for my biz on my truck.
First time I've seen ice cream truck in the public campgrounds (also playground in state park campground is pretty rare too, at least in CA.. Harris beach has a nice one) I gathered it was park sanctioned somehow.. as it was making its round making sure people knows they are there.
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